tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24948761785803954282017-11-12T00:49:37.382-08:00A Clever ChickIf someone would have told me five years ago my husband and I would be embarking on homeschooling our kids I would have been shocked. If someone would have said we'd be gardening, raising chickens and making some of our own household items--I wouldn't have believed them. Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-38320507938205070412015-08-11T04:48:00.003-07:002015-08-11T04:48:52.452-07:00Pretty Baby by Mary KubicaA chance encounter sparks an unrelenting web of lies in this stunning new psychological thriller from national bestselling author Mary Kubica<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y28vFJjCQz4/Vcng5RqngGI/AAAAAAAAD40/OdV5lNNcF4A/s1600/23638955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y28vFJjCQz4/Vcng5RqngGI/AAAAAAAAD40/OdV5lNNcF4A/s320/23638955.jpg" width="210" /></a>She sees the teenage girl on the train platform, standing in the pouring rain, clutching an infant in her arms. She boards a train and is whisked away. But she can't get the girl out of her head...<br /><br />Heidi Wood has always been a charitable woman: she works for a nonprofit, takes in stray cats. Still, her husband and daughter are horrified when Heidi returns home one day with a young woman named Willow and her four-month-old baby in tow. Disheveled and apparently homeless, this girl could be a criminal—or worse. But despite her family's objections, Heidi invites Willow and the baby to take refuge in their home.<br /><br />Heidi spends the next few days helping Willow get back on her feet, but as clues into Willow's past begin to surface, Heidi is forced to decide how far she's willing to go to help a stranger. What starts as an act of kindness quickly spirals into a story far more twisted than anyone could have anticipated.<br /><br /><br />My thoughts...I will start with I devoured this book! I had an eye strain headache and still couldn't put it down! So so good. Why was it so good? Ok, well we get to know Heidi Wood at first. She is devoted to helping and care of the less fortunate. She spots Willow out in the rain with a baby. The girl and the baby haunt her. Its not like she sees her and brings her home the next day. Everything about this girl with a baby compels Heidi to reach out and help her. Her husband, Chris is a workaholic who seems oddly detached from his wife. He is in the marriage, but not fully vested. Their daughter Zoe is a preteen struggling to find her own voice with a mother who is very involved. You can see how Heidi is almost looking for something to fill her attention.<br /><br />The novel is told with three viewpoints. First Heidi, then her husband Chris and last Willow. What I absolutely loved was Heidi and Chris share the story as it is happening though their eyes, but Willow tells the story from the end and from before meeting the Wood family (I know this sounds confusing, but it isn't and it really is what makes for the suspense!)<br /><br />Now I can't imagine bringing home a young girl off the streets into my home the way Heidi does, but it doesn't take long before we begin to understand Heidi's underlying reasoning. Heidi seems to bask in taking care of Willow's baby. Chris is suspicious and wants the girl out of the house. Then the story begins to spiral! While the story seems to be getting out of control, we are at the same time learning about Willows dark past--still the pieces aren't making any sense...then BAM the story explodes! I will leave it at that. A summer must read! Highly recommending!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Buy your copy of Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778317706/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0778317706&amp;SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-baby-mary-kubica/1120842317?ean=9780778317708">Barnes &amp;amp; Noble</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Follow Mary Kubica</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Kubica-Author/529093127112073">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MaryKubica">Twitter</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.marykubica.com/">Website</a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">As of December 1, 2009, According to The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), product reviewers on blogs must disclose whether they received products for free or received payment for their review. The books I review on this site (A NOVEL REVIEW) are sent to me by publishers, authors or downloaded from Netgalley. This is a very common practice. I never take payments for these reviews and all the reviews on this site are my own thoughts and feelings and are not influenced.</span>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-43997174495492450022015-08-11T04:42:00.003-07:002015-08-11T04:42:55.026-07:00Colore Chalk Markers<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chalk Markers By Colore - 6mm Bullet and Chisel Tip - 8 Pack Bright Vibrant Colors</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(as per Amazon website)&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">★ FREE BONUS: One Silicone Pen Holder, Color Of Pen Holder Varies (pink, yellow, green, blue, orange). Also receive a second FREE GIFT: Electronic PDF Copy Titled 'All You Need To Know About Chalk Markers'.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=%22_blank%22%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;index=aps&amp;keywords=Colore%20Chalk%20Markers%20-%20Best%20Use%20On%20Non%20Porous%20Surface%20-%20FREE%20Pen%20Holder%20-%206mm%20Reversible%20Tip%20-%208%20Pack%20Vibrant%20Colors%20by%20Colore&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;tag=anore03-20&amp;linkId=Y7PZTXSLTEF4AME4%22%3EColore%20Chalk%20Markers%20-%20Best%20Use%20On%20Non%20Porous%20Surface%20-%20FREE%20Pen%20Holder%20-%206mm%20Reversible%20Tip%20-%208%20Pack%20Vibrant%20Colors%20by%20Colore%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=anore03-20&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=1%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=B00PJEY0MG&amp;Format=_SL110_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=anore03-20" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">★ FEATURES: Dual Tip Design Liquid Chalk Ink Pens, Reversible Between Bullet and Chisel Tip. Colore Chalk Marker Nibs are MADE IN JAPAN, ensuring best quality for drawing and writing. Available in 8 vibrant colors including purple, white, blue, yellow, orange, pink, red and green.</div><div style="text-align: center;">★ WIDE RANGE OF USE: home or car windows, mirrors, smooth and non-porous chalkboard or whiteboard, bistro or restaurant menu board, business presentation in office, paint laminated wood, chalkboard labels or stickers for organizing your kitchen mason jars and containers, creative fun drawing for your kids, Property FOR SALE signboards, car windows for auto dealership, erasable LED writing board on cafe and basically any smooth and non-porous surfaces.</div><div style="text-align: center;">★ BENEFITS: Fine tip wet erase neon marker for non-porous chalkboard and blackboard, allowing you to make well-defined lines and prevent smudging. Colore Liquid Chalk Pens Set are perfect for decorations on Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, 4th of July, Labor Day, Birthday or Wedding Parties, Halloween Night, Mother's &amp; Father's Day Celebration, Easter &amp; St Patrick's Day and any of your private events. The possibilities are endless!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">★ IMPORTANT NOTE: Colore Dry Erase Markers Set works best on non-porous surfaces such as glass, plastic or acrylic containers and chromed metal. ALWAYS test on a small area first to see if it wipes off before continuing on your project. As most chalkboards and blackboards on the market are porous, it is advisable that you check the surface is smooth and non-porous for easy cleaning. Check out our Customer Reviews below who have chosen Colore Chalk Markers and are satisfied by our premium quality and excellent customer support which you will too by clicking the Add to Cart button!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div>I was sent a set of these Colore Chalk Markers by the company to review. I have never used Chalk Markers before, so I was very interested in trying them. I was really excited when I received them and started playing with them right away. You need to really give them a good shake to get started and I had to turn the tip around. I had an old chalkboard, so I used them on that. I LOVE the bright beautiful colors on the black contrast. They really pop! I used a wet cloth to wipe them off and everything wiped off. I also used them on a white board and they wiped off with a wet cloth. I like the option of having both the rounded tip for a thicker line or chiseled tip for writing.<br /><br />After using these for the first time, I was suspicious of how well they would work a few days later. I just gave them a good shake and they worked great. This time I used them while making flashcards for my daughter on colored paper stock. I wanted to use markers, but they were bleeding through to the other side. I tried the Colore Dry Erase Marker set and they worked perfectly! No bleeding on the other side!I have found the more you use them them better and better they work.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oHFeT2-SKHw/VcnfR1p38-I/AAAAAAAAD4o/ldKOEvE-isg/s1600/11828655_10153482537974720_3351414906577344755_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oHFeT2-SKHw/VcnfR1p38-I/AAAAAAAAD4o/ldKOEvE-isg/s320/11828655_10153482537974720_3351414906577344755_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=anore03-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B00PJEY0MG&amp;asins=B00PJEY0MG&amp;linkId=4MR6JRRCMLBMFJ37&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-69179012822397192292015-05-01T10:00:00.000-07:002015-05-04T11:01:21.313-07:00The end of our first year<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G371CiW9oPA/VUezhSYWE9I/AAAAAAAADwI/usYldoNUZdo/s1600/done2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G371CiW9oPA/VUezhSYWE9I/AAAAAAAADwI/usYldoNUZdo/s320/done2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />The kids have completed the last of their workbooks, we are done...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57c4yPRVph4/VT00ZADd1WI/AAAAAAAADuA/buQa02zyZTM/s1600/kids2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57c4yPRVph4/VT00ZADd1WI/AAAAAAAADuA/buQa02zyZTM/s1600/kids2.jpg" width="150" /></a>I had meant to post more, but the first year of homeschooling got in the way! I can't believe we are here. We did it. I feel like I should get some major award or something. In all seriousness, it has been an awesome year. I taught my daughter to read. I did that. Me. Wow. I was so afraid to get started this year, I held back from pulling C out of public school earlier, because I was afraid. Yet, I accomplished it. I accomplished what I was most afraid of and I did it well. I taught my kids and they learned.<br /><br />Has it been a hard year? Yes and no. The actual teaching part was the easiest part. The teacher guides walked me through each lesson. My kids seem to pick up most things pretty fast, so there was only a few times I needed to find ways to get them to understand. Thank-goodness to <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/anovelreview/">pinterest&nbsp;</a>for the wealth of ideas and games. The only real stuggles we had were with spelling and handwritting. I learned to give myself permission to go at our own rate. Once I did it was fantastic. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKwG5y9k-vo/VT0z8adZQRI/AAAAAAAADt4/eTVDngLdgk8/s1600/jar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKwG5y9k-vo/VT0z8adZQRI/AAAAAAAADt4/eTVDngLdgk8/s1600/jar.jpg" width="150" /></a>The hard part of homeschooling was dealing with the "I'm bored" my 7yo constantly complained about. It was hard for my kids to turn off cartoons and start focusing on school in the mornings. I thought about no cartoons in the morning. Honestly, it would have helped. The truth is, I need that time to run a load of laundry, throw dinner in the crockpot or to simply say 'hi' to my friends on facebook. I also tried starting a rough morning off with art. This is perfect for M, but C not so much. What has worked best was starting a marble jar. Once they complete a subject they drop a marble into their jar. They each need to reach a certain number of marbles to be allowed to play games on their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IKPYKWG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00IKPYKWG&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=anore03-20&amp;linkId=CJPL4FLN27XIMAXL%22%3EFire%20HD%207,%207%22%20HD%20Display,%20Wi-Fi,%208%20GB%20-%20Includes%20Special%20Offers,%20Black%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=anore03-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B00IKPYKWG%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E">Kindles</a> for one hour after dinner.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAaa_iUAGC4/VT01cyGgDII/AAAAAAAADuQ/CPJpsGZ1Qjg/s1600/10917108_10152950520239720_9171365544146720219_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAaa_iUAGC4/VT01cyGgDII/AAAAAAAADuQ/CPJpsGZ1Qjg/s1600/10917108_10152950520239720_9171365544146720219_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>The best part of this year was seeing &nbsp;C grow as a reader. When we began this journey he didn't love reading. He thought reading was ok, but if he could get out of it he would. Now? He loves to read. I even have a rough estimate of books he has read over this school year. Are you ready? 84 chapter books. Not books I read to him. Not comic books. I am beyond proud of him. Not bad for a second grader!<br /><br />M loves school. I am able to bend our time learning around her. When she begins to struggle keeping focus, I pull out a puzzle or a coloring book. I've also been buying games for her to sit and play to increase her ability to stay focused. I often wonder how she would have done in a traditional classroom. She likes to move, play, color and draw. She turns in numerous worksheet with drawings on top of her work...it's ok I just have her verbalize what I can no longer see. I feel like she has the freedom to be herself and I get the opportunity to witness it everyday.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lctQCeCIYHk/VT5krxHBgQI/AAAAAAAADus/Z9RWcEyIQ3Q/s1600/210e256f293e835a42c8a894fb1d5e87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lctQCeCIYHk/VT5krxHBgQI/AAAAAAAADus/Z9RWcEyIQ3Q/s1600/210e256f293e835a42c8a894fb1d5e87.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TRTgMVRp7Dw/VT008EARF_I/AAAAAAAADuI/XTaRHGpzn9w/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TRTgMVRp7Dw/VT008EARF_I/AAAAAAAADuI/XTaRHGpzn9w/s1600/kids.jpg" width="200" /></a>I am seeing some areas I'd like to do better about next year. When I first started, I looked at the curriculum guides and wrote everything down in a planner. I realized pretty quick it wasn't helping me, so I stopped. Then towards the end of the year I found I needed to make sure we hit certain goals during our week. I started with a vague outline in my planner. By the end of the year, I was thrilled I had a weekly plan. Its funny how you just find what works for you. I'm excited to start planning out my next year!<br /><br />I am most excited about pulling out all my new books for next year and getting everything ready! But I'll make sure we have lots of fun in the sun this summer, too!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKPud9lOsEA/VT02Br4Yi8I/AAAAAAAADuY/eg2BshdBwuo/s1600/11024759_10153139085269720_830530410803412798_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKPud9lOsEA/VT02Br4Yi8I/AAAAAAAADuY/eg2BshdBwuo/s1600/11024759_10153139085269720_830530410803412798_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next years books!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-24009665864371119122015-04-20T05:32:00.000-07:002015-04-20T05:32:23.549-07:00At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen<div style="text-align: center;">In her stunning new novel, Gruen returns to the kind of storytelling she excelled at in Water for Elephants: a historical timeframe in an unusual setting with a moving love story. Think Scottish Downton Abbey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0QgdFoXZVM/VTTxKZWuK2I/AAAAAAAADtA/Q0AjbryGEmc/s1600/23209927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0QgdFoXZVM/VTTxKZWuK2I/AAAAAAAADtA/Q0AjbryGEmc/s1600/23209927.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div><br /><br />After embarrassing themselves at the social event of the year in high society Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve of 1942, Maddie and Ellis Hyde are cut off financially by Ellis’s father, a former army Colonel who is already embarrassed by his son’s inability to serve in WWII due to his being colorblind. To Maddie’s horror, Ellis decides that the only way to regain his father’s favor is to succeed in a venture his father attempted and very publicly failed at: he will hunt the famous Loch Ness monster and when he finds it he will restore his father’s name and return to his father’s good graces (and pocketbook). Joined by their friend Hank, a wealthy socialite, the three make their way to Scotland in the midst of war. Each day the two men go off to hunt the monster, while another monster, Hitler, is devastating Europe. And Maddie, now alone in a foreign country, must begin to figure out who she is and what she wants. The novel tells of Maddie’s social awakening: to the harsh realities of life, to the beauties of nature, to a connection with forces larger than herself, to female friendship, and finally, to love.<br /><br />My thoughts...Love, love, love, loved this book. From the top. Ellis and his wife Maddie, along with his bff, Hank are spoiled, rich and act like fools. Ellis and Hank were unable to serve during WWII dure to unseen 'issues'. Daddy cuts Ellis off, so Ellis decides to go off in search of real proof of Loch Ness monster in hopes of reconciling. I really didn't much care for Ellis from the get go. Hank seemed to have some sort of spark that kept him redeemable in my mind and Maddie...she was all right. I don't want to give too much of the story line away, because it is really interesting and different. I do want to say Maddie grew on me until I was rooting for her!<br /><br />At The Water's Edge is a novel where you can't be sure where it is going to go, I mean they are chasing a monster while a war is going on all around them! They are in a foreign land they don't know a soul. The story really is a poor little rich girl who for the first time seeing the world from a different station where she suddenly finds herself. I'd love to gush about a few different parts of the novel, but if I do I would ruin the story for you and I hate when people spoil a review with too much detail. Let me say this was fantastic novel, I was completely transported to Scotland! I highly recommend. Definitely my favorite book I've read this year. Seriously, loved this book!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Buy At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385523238/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0385523238&amp;SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/at-the-waters-edge-sara-gruen/1120359472?ean=9780385523233&amp;itm=1&amp;usri=9780385523233&amp;cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10:1&amp;r=1,%201">Barnes &amp;amp; Noble</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="http://www.npr.org/2015/03/28/395777496/hunting-mythical-monsters-at-the-waters-edge">Sara Gruen’s recent interview with NPR’s Scott Simon: Hunting Mythical Monsters 'At The Water's Edge'</a></span></b></div><br /><br />At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen is an Indie Next Pick and a Top LibraryReads Pick for April<br /><br /><br />“Maddie Hyde is a Sara Gruen heroine. She's bold, she's warm, and she's been cast out of Philadelphia polite society — in this case the family of her husband Ellis, who is 4F in the middle of World War II. To avoid the glares and scowls, and to earn their own way in the world after being cut off from a family fortune, they cross the Atlantic during a high tide of submarine warfare to try to burnish their family name by hunting down an older kind of monster in a Scottish village.” —NPR Weekend Edition<br /><br />“Bestselling author Sara Gruen returns with the breathtaking tale of a young Philadelphia socialite who reluctantly follows her husband to a remote town in Scotland in search of the Loch Ness Monster. At the same time another monster, Hitler, threatens to tear their world apart. At The Water's Edge is a daring story of adventure, friendship, and love in the shadow of WWII.” —Harper’s Bazaar<br />“Monster romance…super steamy love story.” —Good Housekeeping (GH Read of the month)<br />“A page-turner of a novel that rollicks along with crisp historical detail, waves of deep emotions and a dash of Scottish mystical mythology.”—Fort Worth Star-Telegram<br /><br />“Riveting...Gruen’s beautiful setting and deeply sympathetic characters ensure a memorable read for new and returning fans alike.” —Publishers Weekly<br />“At The Water’s Edge returns to the kind of storytelling Gruen excelled at in Water for Elephants…a moving love story: think Scottish Downton Abbey.”—Publishers Weekly (pre-pub alert)<br />"[Gruen's] narrative description is often sublime . . . A natural for the book-club set.—Booklist<br /><br />“Gruen skillfully weaves in historical reference points, making Maddie’s story seem larger than that individual focus. The author conveys the lure of the Scottish Highlands, and its storied lore and mystery help create her novel’s riveting, ethereal atmosphere. Maddie’s growing self-awareness is presented in stark—and welcome—contrast to her husband’s spiral into conceit and self-deception. At the Water’s Edge captivates with its drama, intrigue and glimpses of both the dark and light of humanity. As Jane Austen once wrote, ‘with due exceptions, woman feels for woman very promptly and compassionately.’ For all her faults, Maddie’s tragic history and her courage in the face of her present predicament will win readers to her side.”—BookPage, Fiction Top PickLaura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-89703962905409783312015-04-07T13:10:00.002-07:002015-04-07T13:10:26.509-07:00A Kid's Guide to Keeping Chickens: Best Breeds, Creating a Home, Care and Handling, Outdoor Fun, Crafts and Treats by Melissa Caughey<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fY1s5kN9cqA/VSQ5hVPjYiI/AAAAAAAADr0/iH8iESQN4Tc/s1600/chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fY1s5kN9cqA/VSQ5hVPjYiI/AAAAAAAADr0/iH8iESQN4Tc/s1600/chickens.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></div>Chickens make wonderful pets, and Melissa Caughey (author of the award-winning blog Tilly’s Nest) provides all the information kids need to raise healthy chickens and have tons of fun doing it! Caughey shares her advice in an engaging way so that kids understand what it means to keep chickens and what kind of housing, food, equipment, and care the chickens will need to thrive. She also suggests lots of creative activities sure to spark enthusiasm and imagination, such as speaking chicken, creating a veggie piñata for the flock, and making a chicken fort in the backyard. She even offers ten egg-centric recipes that kids will love to make and eat, including egg drop soup and Mexican egg pizza.<br /><br />My thoughts...really enjoyed reading this with my almost eight year old son. I would say the book is more geared toward a slightly older audience (maybe 12), but a really great guide for anyone. Easy to read and so much information. Even though there is a lot of information it is put together in a really user friendly way. From how to set up a coop, ten best breeds for kids (and why), if your chicken gets sick, to even how to set up an incubator.<br /><br />I loved the fun recipes for making treats for chickens, chicken crafts for kids and egg recipes! We've had chickens for a few years, but I found some great information. I'm excited about making a chicken fort for our backyard and seed rolls for the chickens! I am highly recommending A Kid's Guide to Keeping Chickens (for adults and or kids!).<br /><br /><br />my kiddos with their chickens.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vEQ9yaXI_8U/VSQ5dCFXwHI/AAAAAAAADrs/jIzJq_4GvpE/s1600/chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vEQ9yaXI_8U/VSQ5dCFXwHI/AAAAAAAADrs/jIzJq_4GvpE/s1600/chickens.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />As of December 1, 2009, According to The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), product reviewers on blogs must disclose whether they received products for free or received payment for their review. The books I review on this site (A NOVEL REVIEW) are sent to me by publishers, authors or downloaded from Netgalley. This is a very common practice. I never take payments for these reviews and all the reviews on this site are my own thoughts and feelings and are not influenced.Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-40863503960502719382015-04-03T06:02:00.002-07:002015-04-03T06:02:17.815-07:00What's UpI haven't posted in some time! My goodness life sure can get busy! We've been busy finishing up basketball season (both kids played), enjoying the finally we can get outside weather, baby chicks and finishing up lessons. We still have a few weeks to go, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2D6Pe20Yw4/VR6OwRA5XzI/AAAAAAAADrA/kEUjUOxeVKw/s1600/11024759_10153139085269720_830530410803412798_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2D6Pe20Yw4/VR6OwRA5XzI/AAAAAAAADrA/kEUjUOxeVKw/s1600/11024759_10153139085269720_830530410803412798_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>About two weeks ago, I ordered my <a href="http://www.abeka.com/AbekaDifference.aspx">Abeka</a> school books for next year! All our books arrived the other day plus I ordered a few other things for school next year. I love spending all this time with my <br />little ones and I have found M is someone I've got to get busy. I went ahead and bought these plastic pattern blocks and got her a book to use them with and she LOVES them. Helps her stay focused while I'm working with C. She is a huge fan (well honestly both my kids and any kid who comes to my house) of Magna-Tiles, but they can become a big mess while I'm doing school. I found these Orb magnetic cubes at the Knowledge Tree store the other day thinking it wouldn't make a mess on the floor. Well again both kids loved them! I went ahead and ordered another set from amazon :) I use some old magnetic boards that came with some Doug &amp; Melissa calendars for them to put the small magnets on. They love building me pictures (they seem to be minecraft themed).<br /><br />Here are some quick links (if you order through these links I do make a small commission, but I was not asked to review any of these products I just wanted to share).<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B00004WKPP&amp;asins=B00004WKPP&amp;linkId=E3TN64LP443GWFE5&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B0008E0BZC&amp;asins=B0008E0BZC&amp;linkId=3A6SCCRCIMAQAR3Q&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=anore03-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000CBSNRY&asins=B000CBSNRY&linkId=J6RR4BDKHL4LQYFA&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=F32319&bg_color=FFFFFF"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B000CBSNRY&amp;asins=B000CBSNRY&amp;linkId=J6RR4BDKHL4LQYFA&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I need to write up some more posts, we also planted our garden, planted a peach tree (yay! need more fruit trees), and my husband cleared out the black berry bushes gone wild! lol.&nbsp;</div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-74928457309484330452015-02-05T04:45:00.003-08:002015-02-05T07:34:10.816-08:00Homeschool MusicSince we began homeschooling in August, my husband has taken over the music education aspect. He has had them on the piano, drums, ukulele, playing bells and xylophone. I love the dedicated time he spends with them teaching them music. M is on the young side, but I do see some natural musical tendencies there. C is really just now at the age to get him started. He really enjoys playing the ukulele.<br /><br />My husband, loves playing and writing music. He recently wrote a song and had the kids help.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnaT1ZToyRw/VNNlnVmJ7uI/AAAAAAAADmY/mlbOjds31HQ/s1600/IMG_1280%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnaT1ZToyRw/VNNlnVmJ7uI/AAAAAAAADmY/mlbOjds31HQ/s1600/IMG_1280%2B(2).jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a link to listen to a song he wrote and put together on Garage Band. The kids sang with him and I think it is adorable!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/aaron-u-bolin/cant-you-see-the-monster?fb_action_ids=757325571040973&amp;fb_action_types=og.shares">CAN'T YOU SEE THE MONSTER</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-75376290910927727512015-01-26T05:57:00.004-08:002015-01-26T05:57:40.233-08:00Three things I learned during our first 100 days of homeschooling<div style="text-align: center;">I can not even begin to explain how excited I am to have our first 100 days of homeschool behind us! When we first started in August it seemed like it would take forever, lol. We've had many ups and downs, but honestly I would say it has been an amazing experience. I've definitely learned so much over the first 100 days of homeschooling.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">WE DID IT!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7WlCfdUUXc/VMYxybRSLCI/AAAAAAAADjc/-V11XHcV0Sk/s1600/IMG_1279%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7WlCfdUUXc/VMYxybRSLCI/AAAAAAAADjc/-V11XHcV0Sk/s1600/IMG_1279%2B(2).jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">There will be bad days and that is ok... </b>When we first began homeschooling this year I expected the first few weeks to be rough, but they weren't. I mean I struggled with getting my day organized, buth the kids were model students. They were fantastic and eager. I was beyond thrilled. I thought I had really prepped them well and was doing a banner job. Then everything changed. The truth was homeschool began to feel like...school. Sure we play more games and have a less crazy day, but there are worksheets to do and new lessons to learn. I was met with attitudes and meltdowns. I wasn't prepared for the change of events. I walked out of the room crying not sure what to do. Then I had to remember it is ok. What we don't get done today we will get done tomorrow. It's ok to pack up the books and head to the park, or send them outside to run around. We are not bound to the classroom. We took unscheduled trips to the library, walks around the neighborhood, and started craft projects. When the moods shifted, I gently reminded them we need to finish up classwork. You know what? It got done...eventually. We still have off days or off moments in our day and I need to remind myself to be flexible. It is ok.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k8Xswl6zf8/VMYx8mn5YeI/AAAAAAAADj8/B-47S5GxWl0/s1600/IMG_1282%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k8Xswl6zf8/VMYx8mn5YeI/AAAAAAAADj8/B-47S5GxWl0/s1600/IMG_1282%2B(2).jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kfB-v9L7Ng/VMYx6ZO5o6I/AAAAAAAADj0/OOfqPhT4T34/s1600/IMG_1281%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kfB-v9L7Ng/VMYx6ZO5o6I/AAAAAAAADj0/OOfqPhT4T34/s1600/IMG_1281%2B(2).jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Make time for Momma...</span>&nbsp;I would not consider myself overly social. Last year when my son was in 1st grade and my daughter at preschool, I spent a great deal of time at home. I did the drop offs and pick ups, I did a weekly Bible study, and ran one day a week with two girlfriends otherwise I was at home. When we started homeschooling I was all in. I made no time for myself to get away. I went to the hobby store--the little ones were with me. The grocery store, we went together. My break was on Sundays when I dropped them off and ran to my adult study. Then our church announced the mid-week study and this year they'd be able to care for homeschoolers. My husband pushed me to sign-up. The thought stressed me. We were already doing karate on Monday mornings and I found this really put me behind. The last thing I wanted to do was add a Wednesday morning away from home. He felt like it would be good for me and the kids. I gave in. Oh what a blessing my Wednesday morning group was. I sat and talked to grown-ups. I hadn't realized how much I missed them! The experience for C had been fantastic, too. The church had it set-up that homeschoolers would work on their own for an hour. This helped him with learning to be independent, plus if he finished with the worksheets I brought he would read. He fell in love with reading. After church, after being social, I found I was recharged. I was more energetic and felt more like myself. This allowed me to be better for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iPhpvYQvud4/VMZAVKXXM1I/AAAAAAAADkM/SZJV53dLaZ8/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iPhpvYQvud4/VMZAVKXXM1I/AAAAAAAADkM/SZJV53dLaZ8/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">I can't do it all...</b>&nbsp;there it is. The one thing I really hate to admit. I can't do it all. Homeschooling takes a good part of my day. When we are done with homeschooling I try to get things done around the house or sometimes I just want to do nothing. I haven't figured out how to get all the shopping, cleaning, laundry, schooling, playing, phone calls, bills paid...all of it done. I get a lot of it done. Not done as well as I would like it or in the time I would like it. My husband has been doing more, I've had to do more in the evenings (I used to get it all done during the day), I've had to learn to deal with some things just not getting done. Maybe someday I will post how I've learned to get it done. I know I could plan better. Plan all my meals, plan a cleaning and laundry schedule...but for now I'm still figuring out how to get all the schooling done because school is my number one focus. That is ok. I am learning to be ok with that. I mean it's not like my house is going to be on the next episode of Hoarders (and I do recommend watching it--you will feel much better about the condition of your own home). :) This is simply the season my family is in and honestly I'm loving it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6BioIvMrMY/VMZHhavIq0I/AAAAAAAADkk/SzMiCYy1zQo/s1600/IMG_1355%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6BioIvMrMY/VMZHhavIq0I/AAAAAAAADkk/SzMiCYy1zQo/s1600/IMG_1355%2B(2).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93tPjlpv0a8/VMZHlF2ZloI/AAAAAAAADks/KdxpcmaYd9I/s1600/IMG_1361%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93tPjlpv0a8/VMZHlF2ZloI/AAAAAAAADks/KdxpcmaYd9I/s1600/IMG_1361%2B(2).jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xco_EjRAGkw/VMZHelmQjzI/AAAAAAAADkc/goWW-ESG0Pc/s1600/IMG_1354%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xco_EjRAGkw/VMZHelmQjzI/AAAAAAAADkc/goWW-ESG0Pc/s1600/IMG_1354%2B(2).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-36507315748314900882015-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:002015-01-09T08:00:03.899-08:00Saving Grace by Jane Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFAFXrW2Lco/VK7V60TfQAI/AAAAAAAADjI/Hh6T-fmjqJ0/s1600/21853667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFAFXrW2Lco/VK7V60TfQAI/AAAAAAAADjI/Hh6T-fmjqJ0/s1600/21853667.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>Grace and Ted Chapman are widely regarded as the perfect literary power couple. Ted is a successful novelist and Grace, his wife of twenty years, is beautiful, stylish, carefree, and a wonderful homemaker. But what no one sees, what is churning under the surface, is Ted’s rages. His mood swings. And the precarious house of cards that their lifestyle is built upon. When Ted’s longtime assistant and mainstay leaves, the house of cards begins to crumble and Grace, with dark secrets in her past, is most vulnerable. She finds herself in need of help but with no one to turn to…until the perfect new assistant shows up out of the blue. &nbsp;To the rescue comes Beth, a competent young woman who can handle Ted and has the calm efficiency to weather the storms that threaten to engulf the Chapman household. Soon, though, it’s clear to Grace that Beth might be too good to be true. This new interloper might be the biggest threat of all, one that could cost Grace her marriage, her reputation, and even her sanity. &nbsp;With everything at stake and no one to confide in, Grace must find a way to save herself before it is too late.<br /><br />Powerful and riveting, Saving Grace will have you on the edge of your seat as you follow Grace on her harrowing journey to rock bottom and back.<br /><br />My thoughts...there is a reason Jane Green has published so many books, she is fantastic. Saving Grace is an I can't put this book down kinda novel! I really liked Grace. At first, I wasn't sure what to make of her relationship to Ted...I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see where it would lead. Then we meet the new assistant and I never trusted her, but Grace really wasn't a fool--but then the story just explodes in a way I really wasn't expecting. Wow. I mean wow. I was really proud of the leaps Grace went through and how wonderfully Green pulled everything together. Nothing felt rushed, Grace always seemed true to who she was. I would love to mention another character who I totally loved, but that would be a spoiler! I will also mention Green brings about a discussion of medication in this novel that should be a discussion we should be having in our society.<br /><br />I believe the books description really gives you a good idea of what the novel is about, so I am really just letting you know this was a great read. I highly recommend Saving Grace.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Follow Jane Green</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/janegreen">Twitter</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorJaneGreen">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://janegreen.com/">Website</a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B00KUY7GCQ&amp;asins=B00KUY7GCQ&amp;linkId=DOOBN2TTZOPW6KAG&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-60751262062317603282015-01-08T11:08:00.001-08:002015-01-08T11:08:32.288-08:00Another Night, Another Day by Sarah Rayner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKZHkFo00hs/VK7VkDfRnzI/AAAAAAAADjA/anx1ofOcvjw/s1600/21853686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKZHkFo00hs/VK7VkDfRnzI/AAAAAAAADjA/anx1ofOcvjw/s1600/21853686.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>Three people, each crying out for help.There’s Karen, about to lose her father; Abby, whose son has autism and needs constant care, and Michael, a family man on the verge of bankruptcy. As each sinks under the strain, they’re brought together at Moreland’s Clinic.Here, behind closed doors, they reveal their deepest secrets, confront and console one another, and share plenty of laughs. But how will they cope when a new crisis strikes? From the international bestselling author, Sarah Rayner, Another Night, Another Day is the emotional story of a group of strangers who come together to heal, creating lifelong friendships along the way.<br /><br />My thoughts...In some ways, this is a difficult book to review. The storyline is dealing with depression, not a story to get all excited about. Another Night, Another Day is a very well written character driven story following the lives of three individuals fighting very real demons in their lives. They find themselves in a clinic facing the truth of the lives they've been fighting. I found myself particularly drawn to Karen. I could relate to her grief process and some of her feelings and questions about her grief. Having lost my own dad two years ago, I found myself feeling as if I had no right to really grieve him since I had grieved so hard for my mom and because I knew it was coming. Another Night, Another Day brought out some of my own emotional baggage. Rayner really touched on a subject rarely talked about, but one we should...The story really opened my own eyes to the emotional toll others are going through around me that I have really never thought &nbsp;about. I found the novel very eye opening. I walked away with a better understanding--I mean, wouldn't it be nice if you could have someone to talk to and to help us process our emotions before they get to be too much? Instead, we have a stigma attached to going off and talking to someone or taking a medication to help us when we have emotional overload. We view needing help as weak and yet walking though your emotional pain is extremely brave and far better for us then putting it off.<br /><br />While reading Another Night, Another Day I really was rooting for all the characters. Wanting them to find their footing again. I cheered for them and I cried with them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Buy your copy of Another Night, Another Day by Sarah Rayner</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1447264355/ref=x_gr_w_bb_t1_x?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=x_gr_w_bb_t1_x-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1447264355&amp;SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/another-night-another-day-sarah-rayner/1119182808?ean=9781250066091">Barnes &amp;amp; Noble</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Follow Sarah Rayner</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/creativepumpkin">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/creativepumpkin">Twitter</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thecreativepumpkin.co.uk/">Website</a></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-14294039460103161882014-12-22T07:30:00.000-08:002014-12-22T07:30:00.433-08:00Save Me by Kristyn Kusek Lewis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPUqOpScOVc/VCqnh4MGaaI/AAAAAAAADcE/et-DBaj8fSg/s1600/22111707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPUqOpScOVc/VCqnh4MGaaI/AAAAAAAADcE/et-DBaj8fSg/s1600/22111707.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>Daphne Mitchell has always believed in cause and effect, right and wrong, good and bad. The good: her dream job as a doctor; Owen, her childhood sweetheart and now husband; the beautiful farmhouse they're restoring together. In fact, most of her life has been good--until the day Owen comes home early from work to tell her he's fallen head over heels for someone else.<br /><br />Unable to hate him, but also equally incapable of moving forward, Daphne's life hangs in limbo until the day Owen's new girlfriend sustains near-fatal injuries in a car accident. As Daphne becomes a pillar of support for the devastated Owen, and realizes that reconciliation may lie within her grasp, she has to find out whether forgiveness is possible and decide which path is the right one for her.<br /><br />My thoughts...I loved the authenticity of Daphne. Her husband, whom she loves, is ready to start a family with, her everything suddenly tells her I need a break I'm not sure I'm all in anymore and oh by the way I had an affair (all in the first few pages not a spoiler). What would you do with that! Just as she is beginning to process everything the woman who he had a fling with is in an accident, Owen needs Daphne. Her best friend, Annie KNOWS what is best for her and pushes her to do just that. The problem is Daphne is all over the place.<br /><br />I understood Daphne. You can't just turn those feelings off...you would want to believe the best even during the worst. I felt so bad for her. It didn't seem like anyone was willing to just listen to her and allow her to process what was going on around her. She knew everything they were telling her, but she needed to decide what she was going to do. In the end, it is her life. (and I'm totally an Annie ;)<br /><br />I really enjoyed how I wasn't sure how this was going to end. I won't say anymore about the story. This was a really fast read, I just flew through the story. I wanted to know how everything would play out. I could definitely see this as a great book to read with friends and chit chat especially about the end! I'm recommending SAVE ME!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Follow Kristyn Kusek Lewis</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kristynkuseklewis.com/books/save-me/overview/">Website</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kristynkuseklewisauthor">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/kkuseklewis">Twitter</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Buy a copy of&nbsp;Save Me by Kristyn Kusek Lewis</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/save-me-kristyn-kusek-lewis/1119324921?ean=9781455572236">Barnes &amp; Noble</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Save-Me-Kristyn-Kusek-Lewis/dp/1455572233/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1409862253&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=save+me+kristyn+lewis">Amazon</a></div><div><br /></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-66294421365795481862014-12-09T05:30:00.000-08:002014-12-09T05:30:54.637-08:00Kids Christmas BooksLast week I took the kids over to the library and checked out a number of kids Christmas books. I love how our library marks the binding with a little candy cane making them easy to find. I'm trying to read a few each day, but so far I've read only three...multiple times. My kids like repetition! I hope to pull a few more from our library bin today, but I thought I'd take a few moments and review the three I read so far.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Dora's Christmas Carol&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">by Golden Books (Author), Brenda Goddard (Illustrator), Dan Haskett (Illustrator)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307975924/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0307975924&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=anore03-20&amp;linkId=MOBLNSLFNC7EYWME"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=0307975924&amp;Format=_SL250_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=anore03-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=anore03-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0307975924" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dora the Explorer takes a magical holiday journey back to the past and into the future to teach Swiper about the importance of giving. Based on the DVD Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure, this full-color hardcover storybook is sure to delight girls ages 3-7.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My thoughts: My kids really are not huge Dora fans. They will sit and watch the television show now and again, but won't seek it out. I wasn't really sure how the book would go over. Well they loved it. Swiper has gotten in trouble by Santa for his swiping and now will not receive a gift unless he learns about the true spirit of Christmas. Dora and Swiper take off on an adventure of Christmas' past and future. My kids really enjoyed the book.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Perfect Christmas Pageant&nbsp;</b><br /><b>by Joyce Meyer &nbsp;</b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031072354X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=031072354X&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=anore03-20&amp;linkId=EA4474DHZBHYVRZV"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=031072354X&amp;Format=_SL250_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=anore03-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=anore03-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=031072354X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <br /><br />The popular Everyday Zoo series for young children by beloved and New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer continues with The Christmas Pageant, a heartfelt and humorous story about the true meaning of Christmas. When Hayley Hippo is asked to direct the annual Christmas pageant, she decides this will be her Christmas gift to Jesus and she sets out to make everything perfect. However, after a series of disappointing mishaps, Hayley and her friends learn that they don’t need to be perfect. They realize that Christmas is not about the glittering lights, the perfect setting, or an impressive show, but about Christ.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />My Thoughts: I have not read any of the Everyday Zoo books before. I was very interested in this book because I knew it would have a religious sentiment. This is very important to me especially at Christmas. The kids and I really enjoyed the story and I'll be honest and admit to my inner Hayley Hippo trying to make everything perfect. It was a sweet story. I am going to be looking at getting more books in the Everyday Zoo series.<br /><br /><b>The Crippled Lamb</b><br />by Max Lucado&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400318076/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1400318076&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=anore03-20&amp;linkId=ANJKZX5M6QVYQ7MX"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=1400318076&amp;Format=_SL250_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=anore03-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=anore03-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1400318076" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />The inspiring story that has encouraged thousands of children who have felt left out or who have special needs.<br /><br />In this timeless bestseller, readers experience the tender love God has for those who feel alone and different. Joshua was a lamb with a crippled leg who felt left out because he couldn’t run and play like the other lambs. But God had a very special plan for Joshua’s life, as He does for all who feel alone. Readers can expect a gentle tug on their hearts as the little lamb’s prayers are answered in an amazing way. Original oil-painting illustrations by Liz Bonham brilliantly capture the beauty and warmth of this endearing story.<br /><br />My Thoughts: I have read one of Max Lucado's children's books and really enjoyed it, so I had a high expectation for The Crippled Lamb. I sat down with the kids and began reading. Within the first pages we were all sad. The poor little lamb. I couldn't imagine what God's plan for him would be. Then it is revealed. I sat there trying not to cry while reading. I did end up in tears. I mean this is an absolutely beautiful story. This is a book I want to read to them again and again because it reminds me how He has a plan for us. Absolutely loved this.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=1400318076&amp;asins=1400318076&amp;linkId=JTEK6CK5GQNM5XRR&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=031072354X&amp;asins=031072354X&amp;linkId=QXOI7UVB6DRJFK5I&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=anore03-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1400318076&asins=1400318076&linkId=JTEK6CK5GQNM5XRR&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=F32319&bg_color=FFFFFF"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=0307975924&amp;asins=0307975924&amp;linkId=RLUESUWVUVQXU5WB&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=anore03-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=031072354X&asins=031072354X&linkId=QXOI7UVB6DRJFK5I&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=F32319&bg_color=FFFFFF"></iframe></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-75704112139365548802014-12-01T10:39:00.003-08:002014-12-01T10:39:54.422-08:00Busy, busy, busyThings have been busy here. Working of finishing up our last few weeks of school before we take off for Christmas break. It is hard to believe we have just about completed 18 weeks of school! &nbsp;I seriously can't believe it! I would have to say I have loved the experience more than I ever expected. I love having my kids around and knowing exactly what they are learning. I love how when C is struggling with a new concept I stop what I'm doing and we keep working on it until he really gets it. I see his areas of weakness and I have the time to really work on those things with him.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzOXFtw9p6w/VHyzZ74uAbI/AAAAAAAADhw/sNJ9ABt043w/s1600/IMG_0718%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NzOXFtw9p6w/VHyzZ74uAbI/AAAAAAAADhw/sNJ9ABt043w/s1600/IMG_0718%2B(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Last week, we had the opportunity&nbsp;<a href="http://www.brooksmuseum.org/">Brooks Museum</a>&nbsp;where they had a homeschool day. They have a temporary exhibit called&nbsp;<a href="http://www.brooksmuseum.org/default.aspx?p=114984&amp;evtid=274208:10/18/2014">Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt</a>. We had a blast! To prepare we went to the library and checked out a number of books about Ancient Egypt and then did a few arts and crafts projects.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9rQiejAhDA/VHyy8FNc96I/AAAAAAAADhY/3CSDivmRNss/s1600/IMG_0688%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9rQiejAhDA/VHyy8FNc96I/AAAAAAAADhY/3CSDivmRNss/s1600/IMG_0688%2B(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnVpa6stdqM/VHyzdTZTbHI/AAAAAAAADh4/naZTEI8exvI/s1600/IMG_0709%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnVpa6stdqM/VHyzdTZTbHI/AAAAAAAADh4/naZTEI8exvI/s1600/IMG_0709%2B(2).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />We made necklaces and arm bands. They love all the art projects we get to do at home. We also had a chart in one of our books using hieroglyphics. I attempted writing their names on the white board. I thought they may like to add them to their art projects. M used the hieroglyphics and wrote out mom (the orange on the necklace). She also made a symbol to represent me...yes it's a cup of coffee. Coffee sounds like a good idea right now!<br /><br /><br /><br />Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-72200558174611454622014-11-25T04:49:00.000-08:002014-11-25T04:49:07.611-08:00The Look of Love by Sarah Jio <div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">“Jio has become one of the most-read women in America.” –Woman’s World</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxXh_bm0Kuc/VGtA-h3eSlI/AAAAAAAADgg/CKGeL--Ysqw/s1600/20893363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxXh_bm0Kuc/VGtA-h3eSlI/AAAAAAAADgg/CKGeL--Ysqw/s1600/20893363.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><br /><br />Born during a Christmas blizzard, Jane Williams receives a rare gift: the ability to see true love. Jane has emerged from an ailing childhood a lonely, hopeless romantic when, on her twenty-ninth birthday, a mysterious greeting card arrives, specifying that Jane must identify the six types of love before the full moon following her thirtieth birthday, or face grave consequences. When Jane falls for a science writer who doesn’t believe in love, she fears that her fate is sealed. Inspired by the classic song, The Look of Love is utterly enchanting.<br /><br />My thoughts...The Look of Love is slightly different from Jio's normal dual storyline. This novel follows current day Jane Williams as she is dealing with a new realized gift of seeing love, though she hasn't experienced it in her own life. The novel is magical and sweet having me falling for a great little group of characters. Everyone around her is dealing with a large gambit of love issues and I really was never sure where any of them was going to end up. The most frustrating part of the novel for me was not knowing what the six types of love were. I kept wanting all these perfect happily ever afters. I actually thought about doing an online search for the six types so I could get everything straight in my head. I'm so glad I didn't. I absolutely loved how Jio tied everything so perfectly together at the end. I sat there going from smiling to crying as a few stories flat our surprised me.<br /><br />If you are looking for just an all around enjoyable read, grab this! Reading The Look of Love will warm you up during this cold season. Also a perfect Christmas gift (but seriously, all Sarah Jio books are amazing and would make fabulous gifts)! I am a HUGE fan of Sarah Jio and I absolutely enjoyed this from first to the last page. Jio proves again why she is my favorite must read author! Highly recommending.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=014218053X&amp;asins=014218053X&amp;linkId=4EQNCFIOPAVZUN6Y&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Follow&nbsp;Sarah Jio&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sarahjio.com/">Website</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahjioauthor">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/sarahjio">Twitter</a></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-49947100920447077172014-11-13T06:56:00.003-08:002014-11-13T06:56:28.240-08:00Arm KnittingI'm wondering how many people have tried Arm Knitting? I met someone yesterday who made a scarf in one evening by doing this technique. I was able to find a great you tube video showing the how to. I'm so going to go buy some chunky yarn and try this! I'll post pictures once I'm done and let you know what I think.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/lBlzVCaX7HU?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br /><br />Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-81677099162178647312014-10-21T05:54:00.001-07:002014-10-21T05:54:18.150-07:00Still at it<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zT4vu2BVSZA/VEZPrHKP8kI/AAAAAAAADeo/wqzNtQoMFGg/s1600/1924766_10152749970354720_7547118949690443102_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zT4vu2BVSZA/VEZPrHKP8kI/AAAAAAAADeo/wqzNtQoMFGg/s1600/1924766_10152749970354720_7547118949690443102_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M in her <a href="http://www.ahgonline.org/">Heritage Girl</a> uniform!</td></tr></tbody></table>We have completed more than fifty days! The kids are very excited about this since we are planning on having a 100 day celebration. Honestly, with only the three of us I'm at a loss as to what to do! I think I will bake a cake and put a 100 candle on it, do a few count 100 items activity...but after that I'm not sure. I suppose I will spend some time on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/anovelreview/">pinterest</a> for ideas.<br /><br />So far, on average everything has been going relatively well. Don't get me wrong C has had a few major meltdowns when he hasn't wanted to do work. I have had to explain to him it doesn't matter if he doesn't want to do it, he has too. I have found overall my patience with the kids has really grown. I've gotten to the point, "well go throw your fit and when you are done you can join us." Seems to have worked.<br /><br />One thing I did notice is I'm not allowing for as much fun as I had originally planned too. To some extent it is hard, I mean I still have a house to run and there is still work to be done. Yet at the same time I don't step away from the worksheets and allow them to learn in other ways. This is something I am planning on changing. Don't get me wrong most days will still be worksheets, but I want to pull out some fun activities I've come across.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3M-h8qkOwM/VEZSkEwkpoI/AAAAAAAADe0/dHbvOowIkPg/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3M-h8qkOwM/VEZSkEwkpoI/AAAAAAAADe0/dHbvOowIkPg/s1600/10.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>My husband, who is musical, works with them once a week for a music lesson. He started teaching C the recorder and worked with M on the piano. He has also been playing with them on Djembe drums (using a metronome), campfire songs, and playground clap songs. They really love music time!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLgQQ-LTCI0/VEZTmxg7SuI/AAAAAAAADfA/8TuuCqt0hpk/s1600/IMG_0475%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLgQQ-LTCI0/VEZTmxg7SuI/AAAAAAAADfA/8TuuCqt0hpk/s1600/IMG_0475%2B(2).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>We do have lots of time to do artwork (thank-you pinterest!) There are so many fun things to make this time of year! I would love to make everything, but I'll be honest with you...I hate all the added mess. I know that is wrong. I am working on having C and M help more with clean-up, but I still do the bulk of it. I still try to do at least one project a week plus they can pull out stamps or beads anytime they want. I should try to do a little more with them. I will add the links to the great sites I found these projects on if you would like to do them with your kids (all pretty easy).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/offsite/?token=825-374&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artprojectsforkids.org%2F2013%2F08%2Fhow-to-draw-scarecrow-tutorial.html&amp;pin=53621051788978250">How to draw a scarecrow</a><br /><a href="http://www.thechirpingmoms.com/2014/09/30-halloween-projects-for-kids.html#_a5y_p=2467878">Toilet paper ghost&nbsp;</a><br /><br />The pumpkins were just a combination of ideas. I just used paper plates and let the kids paint them orange. They made faces with black construction paper and cut them out and glued them. We also have a stencil (I've been buying them at Hobby Lobby makes my life easier for art, lol) of leaves, so they picked the leaves, traced on green construction paper and cut. Voila!<br /><br />The trees were just some printed trees (I can't find the link I used). I then let them pick finger paints for fall leaves and they put finger print leaves on their trees (I have also seen this with q-tips instead of finger prints).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95wW-7Yci5s/VEZTp-c9VkI/AAAAAAAADfI/LvXoIkFHn_M/s1600/IMG_0476%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95wW-7Yci5s/VEZTp-c9VkI/AAAAAAAADfI/LvXoIkFHn_M/s1600/IMG_0476%2B(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-67126296091121627262014-10-06T07:30:00.000-07:002014-10-06T07:30:02.556-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQkaDpBNXGw/VCRQQn_oJOI/AAAAAAAADbw/AJHVKct47wU/s1600/19286669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQkaDpBNXGw/VCRQQn_oJOI/AAAAAAAADbw/AJHVKct47wU/s1600/19286669.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a>In The Silent Sister, Riley MacPherson has spent her entire life believing that her older sister Lisa committed suicide as a teenager. &nbsp;Now, over twenty years later, her father has passed away and she's in New Bern, North Carolina cleaning out his house when she finds evidence to the contrary. &nbsp;Lisa is alive. &nbsp;Alive and living under a new identity. &nbsp;But why exactly was she on the run all those years ago, and what secrets are being kept now? &nbsp;As Riley works to uncover the truth, her discoveries will put into question everything she thought she knew about her family. &nbsp;Riley must decide what the past means for her present, and what she will do with her newfound reality, in this engrossing mystery from international bestselling author Diane Chamberlain.<br /><br /><br />My thoughts...<br /><br />This is the second book by Diane Chamberlain I've read and I can say her books keep me wanting to read more! The Silent Sister really made me think what would I do in the case of Riley. She is in so many ways left alone to deal with her father's estate. Her brother has metal and emotional issues from his time in service, as well as from his childhood. &nbsp;She has Jeannie, an old family friend, and her daughter Christine who seem to fly in from out of nowhere and take over the tearing apart of Riley's father's home. I'll be honest when I say I did not trust those two for one minute! Nor did I like them! I mean did they not get she JUST lost her dad! They infuriated me!You'll have to read to see if I was right or not!<br /><br />Actually, the whole book is filled with people I didn't trust! It was as if everyone was in one this big secret except Riley. It was maddening! I constantly felt like I was waiting for the second shoe to drop in the story. I can't say I was surprised by the overall story that came out...many things I kind of guessed. However, there were a number of things I was surprised about! Things would go in this direction when I wouldn't expect them too. Even though I thought I knew how it may end I could never be sure of anything! I was completely absorbed by the story! Not to be missed--I'm recommending THE SILENT SISTER!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Follow Diane Chamberlain</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Diane.Chamberlain.Readers.Page">Facebook</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter/">Twitter</a>&nbsp;|<a href="http://dianechamberlain.com/">&nbsp;Website</a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=anore03-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=1250010713&amp;asins=1250010713&amp;linkId=CV7POATUW5C34C5M&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=F32319&amp;bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-76317637123364364712014-10-03T06:29:00.001-07:002014-10-03T06:29:27.959-07:00Nine Weeks<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCZHJY-1dIs/VC6jNhImYRI/AAAAAAAADdM/jSZd_5lti2A/s1600/IMG_0339%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCZHJY-1dIs/VC6jNhImYRI/AAAAAAAADdM/jSZd_5lti2A/s1600/IMG_0339%2B(2).jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #ea9999;">This was taken during outside play!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Today is huge! We have completed nine weeks of homeschool, we have survived! It has definitely had its ups and downs, but I honestly want to keep it up. I feel so much more engaged with my kids. I know what and how they are learning. I've seen C (2nd grader) really fall in love with reading! He had an interest in it last year and somewhat over the summer. Then one day after 'school' he sat down with one of his Magic Tree House books and read the whole thing. He is averaging a chapter book a day. When we leave the house he grabs a book. He no longer sees reading as a chore or a school assignment, but something to enjoy.<br /><br />They both love art the most. I love art myself, but I always press to do all the school work first. This week I did start our Tuesday with art to change things up. It slowed our day down, but the kids seemed more relaxed. I am hoping to do a lot more fun projects before Halloween! I love <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/anovelreview/">Pinterst&nbsp;</a>for coming up with lots of easy crafts for us to make!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Today will also be report card day! I can't believe how quickly everything has gone by!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aHwnzUwy0g/VC6knIUZJII/AAAAAAAADdY/ZBrTtkEqodE/s1600/IMG_0342%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aHwnzUwy0g/VC6knIUZJII/AAAAAAAADdY/ZBrTtkEqodE/s1600/IMG_0342%2B(2).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-60042475048735327542014-09-12T10:53:00.002-07:002014-09-12T10:57:43.704-07:00Six weeks done!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-YajpjaJfA/VBLz1j2sWzI/AAAAAAAADZY/HE6rgncrMxg/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-YajpjaJfA/VBLz1j2sWzI/AAAAAAAADZY/HE6rgncrMxg/s1600/1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>I can not believe I've been homeschooling for six weeks! The time has really flown by! I've been thrilled with the progress of everything! I can see the kids are learning and every week I'm learning how to more effective in our classroom and in prepping.&nbsp;</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxoD1rDsL3o/VBLz3dj2_OI/AAAAAAAADZo/aP_kMMjSTYY/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxoD1rDsL3o/VBLz3dj2_OI/AAAAAAAADZo/aP_kMMjSTYY/s1600/3.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; There has also been sweet finds along the way...C has really stepped up numerous times and helped M when she has a question or a problem. They work pretty well together (minus the time they are arguing, lol). C really enjoys being able to read to his sister and she loves helping him with artwork and she is always good about telling him how well he is doing!</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIxhebQ0D4I/VBLz5eUmVcI/AAAAAAAADaA/hIz-xjGMZoY/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIxhebQ0D4I/VBLz5eUmVcI/AAAAAAAADaA/hIz-xjGMZoY/s1600/6.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCDpXEZAqu8/VBLz74qKz6I/AAAAAAAADaQ/uWG1RHI2xqY/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCDpXEZAqu8/VBLz74qKz6I/AAAAAAAADaQ/uWG1RHI2xqY/s1600/7.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />We had one day that was about to try my nerves. C just would not settle down and work on school. I figured I could sit and fight with him or I could give up for the day, but since this is all so new I didn't want him to think if I just throw a fit no school. Plus I want to try and stay on schedule, because I know there will be days we will need to miss. It was beautiful outside, so I grabbed most of our books and threw them in a bag. I told the kids to get in the car and we drove to a local &nbsp;park. I let them run around and play, then we read from our book CHARLOTTE'S WEB, played some more and then they were happy to sit and do homework. The only fail was I forgot to pack drinks.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCbCQhS9JHs/VBL1hkODLxI/AAAAAAAADbg/FIPrx_barLE/s1600/photo%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCbCQhS9JHs/VBL1hkODLxI/AAAAAAAADbg/FIPrx_barLE/s1600/photo%2B9.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vHHy7Z0iEjw/VBLz30KzZiI/AAAAAAAADZw/QE6SuFTC6As/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vHHy7Z0iEjw/VBLz30KzZiI/AAAAAAAADZw/QE6SuFTC6As/s1600/4.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>We've been keeping very busy. We just completed our topic of volcanoes. The kids loved erupting a volcano in our backyard! We watched videos, read books and of course did artwork. The kids are brimming with ideas, so we set up a jar where we write our ideas down and pull a topic out of the jar. This is has helped with the fighting over who gets to pick. There will be some I will pick myself. I'm very excited to do a unit on Autumn!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQT7YzrXhVk/VBLz2vzTL2I/AAAAAAAADZg/xxu5CfcDqvc/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQT7YzrXhVk/VBLz2vzTL2I/AAAAAAAADZg/xxu5CfcDqvc/s1600/2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first book order!!!&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-41143250988098195892014-09-05T06:01:00.003-07:002014-09-10T05:27:21.378-07:00Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer<b>"A beautifully drawn study of what is at risk when you lose control of your own life. &nbsp;Unique, gripping, and viscerally moving -- this impressive debut novel heralds the arrival of an extremely talented writer." —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of The Storyteller and Lone Wolf</b><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ff0pskYgQi8/U9edqC-cc_I/AAAAAAAADTA/YTgB6wiUEJE/s1600/20821084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ff0pskYgQi8/U9edqC-cc_I/AAAAAAAADTA/YTgB6wiUEJE/s1600/20821084.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><br />Destined to be a book club favorite, a heart-wrenching debut about two people who must decide how much they’re willing to sacrifice for love.<br /><br />Mara Nichols, a successful lawyer, and devoted wife and adoptive mother, has recently been diagnosed with a terminal disease. Scott Coffman, a middle school teacher, has been fostering an eight-year-old boy while the boy’s mother serves a jail sentence. Scott and Mara both have five days left until they must say good-bye to the ones they love the most. Through their stories, Julie Lawson Timmer explores the individual limits of human endurance, the power of relationships, and that sometimes loving someone means holding on, and sometimes it means letting go.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My thoughts...Wow! Storytelling at its finest. Five Days Left had me sitting on the edge of my seat with every single page. This is going to be one of those reviews that is hard to write because I don't want to give too much of the story away, but I want to write a review to give this novel justice.<br /><br />The novel is told from the viewpoint of Mara and Scott. They both know their lives will forever be changed in five days. One has a choice the other does not, but the choice isn't an easy one--it's heart wrenching. Storyline wise, I was more connected to Mara and her story. I could completely understand to some extent where she was mentally. I could understand her dilemma, felt her turmoil, I found myself sickened for her...my heart in agony for what she must have been going through. I respected her fight. I personally have seen both my parents parish to cancer...I've seen the evil of what a disease can do. As a child of parents who have been ill, I scream fight for me. Mara's story is powerful.<br /><br />Scott's story was also painful. He poured love into his little man for a year. He knew where it was going to end. He put all sorts of love into this little boy and he's leaving...going back to where we hate to think of kids going back to. Scott's heart is breaking, yet his wife not so much. She had opened up her home to bring the little boy there for a year-but she didn't fully invest. Now with the boy leaving, it is almost as if Scott is holding it against her for not being fully devoted, not to be falling apart like he is. He changed the rules without telling her. Then everything changes. Where will this lead this couple?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">If I'm going to recommend one book this year...this is the book!&nbsp;</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Follow Julie Lawson Timmer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.julielawsontimmer.com/">Website</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/JulieLTimmer">Twitter</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Buy a copy of&nbsp;Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Five-Days-Julie-Lawson-Timmer/dp/039916734X">Amazon</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-days-left-julie-lawson-timmer/1114964031?ean=9780399167348">Barnes &amp;amp; Noble</a></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-71806361924729784452014-08-30T15:52:00.002-07:002014-08-30T15:53:06.059-07:00BUTTERNUT SUMMER by Mary McNear<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_d6GcFEVNs/VAJUXxu8DTI/AAAAAAAADY4/YGXO3lbOeLQ/s1600/18964893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_d6GcFEVNs/VAJUXxu8DTI/AAAAAAAADY4/YGXO3lbOeLQ/s1600/18964893.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>Return to the golden beauty of Minnesota’s Butternut Lake in this emotional story that vividly captures the joy and pain of first love, as a mother and daughter each come to terms with the desires of her heart.<br /><br />Summer at Butternut Lake—a season full of surprises . . . and life-changing choices.<br /><br />Preparing for her final year of college, Daisy is crazy busy now that she’s back at Butternut Lake. She’s helping her mother, Caroline, run their coffee shop and trying to build a relationship with the absentee father who’s suddenly reappeared. She never expected to fall in love with Will, the bad-boy from high school who works at the local garage. With every passing day she and Will grow closer to each other . . . and closer to the day they will have to say goodbye. As summer’s end looms, Will and Daisy face heartbreaking choices that might tear them apart.<br /><br />Caroline already has her hands full trying to make ends meet at the coffee shop without having her no-good ex suddenly show up. Now that Jack is back, he’s determined to reconnect with the family he walked out on twenty years ago. But with the bank pounding on her door and Jack’s presence reminding her of the passion they once shared, Caroline’s resolve begins to crumble. As Daisy’s departure looms and her financial worries grow, Caroline just may discover the support she needs . . . in the last place she ever imagined.<br /><br />My thoughts. I absolutely loved the first book in the Butternut Lake Trilogy, Up At Butternut Lake. I was so disappointed when the book ended and had thought this would make a good series, so I was thrilled when I found out it was going to be. Now that is a lot of excitement for a book to live up too. That said, I'm sure you wanna know what I thought of book two! Well two fold. I was disappointed when didn't I read more about Allie and Jax. I loved these two characters and in the second book there was a bit of a cameo, but that was it. I really felt they easily could have made a few more appearances to help us with what Caroline was going through. It wasn't like they were needed to move the story, but I think girlfriends being there for her would have been nice. Plus they were such a part of book one.<br /><br />I overall enjoyed Butternut Summer, but not nearly as much as Up At Butternut Lake. I want to add the book really pulled me in near the end. I felt the story moved at a believable speed and loved getting to know Caroline and her daughter Daisy more. I feel the book was very good, but like I said I loved the first one so much, the second one had almost too much to live up to. On the positive, you could read this as a stand alone, but don't! These are really wonderful characters I really recommend you read them in order! Now I will say I am hopeful the third book will really come back and focus on all four ladies! I'm a fan of Mary McNear and this series (I'm actually bummed it is only a trilogy)! I could see how you could add more characters and stories making a number of books, hint hint to the author! I am recommending Butternut Summer! Make sure to grab a copy for a great read this Labor Day weekend!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Follow Mary McNear</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaryMcNearAuthor">Facebook</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><script charset="utf-8" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_ssw&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fanore03-20%2F8003%2Fed38dbb4-e430-41f1-ad6c-d157ec4b0b36&amp;Operation=GetScriptTemplate" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript><a HREF="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?rt=tf_ssw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fanore03-20%2F8003%2Fed38dbb4-e430-41f1-ad6c-d157ec4b0b36&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A></noscript></center>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-50223118036910935572014-08-25T05:21:00.000-07:002014-08-25T05:21:51.596-07:00A few weeks inWe are now beginning our fourth week of homeschooling. I wouldn't say its been all fun and games, but I wouldn't say its awful either. It is work. Lots of work. I found teaching cursive to be very difficult with the curriculum I was using. C felt stressed. It was disappointing because I've seen a marked improvement with his handwriting in general. His cursive is much cleaner than his print and even his print has improved with me able to remind him to hold his pencil correctly. I was at my breaking point. I have a curriculum to get through. I suppose I'm a bit of a type A personality. I follow the rules. We have to get it done...wait a minute...wait...I'm homeschooling. I can set the rules.<br /><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RHasB_pRur8/U_sjIunZ0oI/AAAAAAAADXs/AVnPsYj9PSg/s1600/18693846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RHasB_pRur8/U_sjIunZ0oI/AAAAAAAADXs/AVnPsYj9PSg/s1600/18693846.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">outside play</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>I made a trip to the store and picked up a few cursive writing workbooks and I've decided to do one lower case letter at a time and move on once he has mastered it. This instead of both upper and lower case at the same time and moving to a new letter (or two) everyday. C is feeling more relaxed and so am I.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I've also really enjoyed how much C has been reading on his own. Today I introduced a sheet he will fill out with each book, so I can tell how much he is comprehending. He tells me the characters, the setting, the problem and the solution. I hope in a few weeks to start having him fill out the same sheet for creative writing. I'm super excited!</div><div><br /></div><div>M has been a bit of a challenge. She has significantly less work than C, so it's harder to keep her engaged. I can't really send her off to play otherwise C will have a harder time focusing. She is pretty good most of the day, but I've picked up extra workbooks for her to do. She also has learning toys in the school room she can play with when I work with C.</div><div></div><div><br />Last week, we began a week long study of stars. I decided I want part of our homeschool experience to include some child lead studies. For our first week the kids wanted to learn about stars. We read a number of both fiction and non-fiction books, watched a Magic School Bus episode (thank-you Netflix) and a few star art projects. The kids loved the study and were excited to pick the next two studies.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M54XZV17I6Y/U_sme_ZiM4I/AAAAAAAADYY/YRK0fOwJDmw/s1600/securedownload%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M54XZV17I6Y/U_sme_ZiM4I/AAAAAAAADYY/YRK0fOwJDmw/s1600/securedownload%2B(2).jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNY1FZuLgQo/U_smgc3CZ2I/AAAAAAAADYg/e-WW9Knev2A/s1600/securedownload.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We are planning a trip to the Planetarium before we begin our next study on a few Ocean animals (Whales, Dolphins and Jellyfish). I wish we had an aquarium here in Memphis!<br /><br />The kids are also meeting with daddy one night a week. He is working on music lessons. C is learning the recorder and M is playing on the keyboard. They also practice for 10 mins each day. C has also began practice for the Christmas church musical. He practices one night a week. They've also had three karate classes (they both love) and C has started soccer.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWj7pz7BTqk/U_sjK793CJI/AAAAAAAADYE/HdM6pUW-1vE/s1600/securedownload%2B(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWj7pz7BTqk/U_sjK793CJI/AAAAAAAADYE/HdM6pUW-1vE/s1600/securedownload%2B(3).jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping busy at the library, while mom looks for books</td></tr></tbody></table>Next week&nbsp;<a href="http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts.aspx">Cub Scouts</a>&nbsp;start back up for him, and M will be starting&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ahgonline.org/">Heritage Girls</a>&nbsp;in a few weeks. We are also looking into starting horse riding lessons or tumbling for her, as well.<br /><br />I'm very excited with how things are going! It's a lot of work, but the rewards have been amazing! I've seen improvement with C. He was a good student last year, but struggled with handwriting and his spelling. I can see improvement with holding his pencil, his handwritting is more clear and he did fantastic on his first spelling test! Have I mentioned I'm using phonics to teach and it is amazing! So many neat rules to help him!&nbsp;</div></div>Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-73786436198965876042014-08-08T14:14:00.000-07:002014-08-09T08:47:04.553-07:00IT IS DONE! The first week of homeschool is in the books!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U60QnE6LDUg/U-UxDuFcAwI/AAAAAAAADW0/hF4LqBZNYDQ/s1600/securedownload+(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U60QnE6LDUg/U-UxDuFcAwI/AAAAAAAADW0/hF4LqBZNYDQ/s1600/securedownload+(16).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>What a week! I will be honest in saying I was prepared for the worst and I am excited to admit it went much smoother than expected. As I say this, I will continue to be ready for the inevitable melt down of, "I don't want to do school." Overall a very good week.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUjbw0bBZ6U/U-UwsCBJwDI/AAAAAAAADVs/XMz1GLbaDlA/s1600/securedownload+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUjbw0bBZ6U/U-UwsCBJwDI/AAAAAAAADVs/XMz1GLbaDlA/s1600/securedownload+(7).jpg" height="150" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a>As we began, the first thing I noticed was for as organized as I felt I was, I wasn't. I had all (<i>most</i>) of the worksheets pulled and placed in day of the week folders for the kids (I also made copies for M for when she is in second grade). This part of it was fine, but it was all the little prep work I fumbled with. The four different types of flashcards, the little counting objects, and constantly trying to remember what book I was teaching from. By the end of the week (<i>today</i>) it ran a little smoother, I believe Laura has found her groove.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFemhCwTWqQ/U-Uwkh2_sMI/AAAAAAAADVM/iy8bfMFjv1o/s1600/securedownload+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sFemhCwTWqQ/U-Uwkh2_sMI/AAAAAAAADVM/iy8bfMFjv1o/s1600/securedownload+(3).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>On Monday, we went to a local church who has a Karate ministry for homeschool kids. It was the first Karate class the kids have ever taken and they really enjoyed it. M cracked me up because she is so loud when they yell. When we got home it was snacks, change clothes and right to the school work. I was pleased with how easily the kids transitioned.<br /><br />M has less work being she is only in Kindergarten. I did try to find things for her to play/learn/work with when she completed her tasks. Her favorite was playing puzzles.<br /><br />Each day the kids have their tasks of updating the daily calendar, feeding the fish, collecting and charting eggs, and adding a bee to our 100 day sun poster (count down till our 100 day party).<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IG67OL0UyUU/U-UxHjFLyxI/AAAAAAAADXE/agJiMVT_FAc/s1600/securedownload+(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IG67OL0UyUU/U-UxHjFLyxI/AAAAAAAADXE/agJiMVT_FAc/s1600/securedownload+(18).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />What concerned me most about homeschooling was the moving back and forth between the kids. I have to say there was very little issue. &nbsp;I just had to help M with her wanting to talk and talk and talk. Sometimes I was even able to take a moment if they were both working...<br /><br />When C (2nd grade) found himself done with his work and I was still working with M, he would grab a book and start reading. He has always enjoyed books--but it has been with a bit of a push towards them.<br /><br />On Tuesday, we ventured out to the library where those amazing ladies were holding two large stacks of books on hold for us. I also allowed the kids to use their cards to get some books they wanted. They each grabbed a number of books and broke in their cards. Between having the time and feeling big getting to check out his own books it seemed to encourage his reading time. Oh and we are charting all his books. I told him after every ten he reads I'd buy him a new book---ummm gonna have to make that a higher number or I'll go broke!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crpSBYlApZI/U-U1iy9QgBI/AAAAAAAADXc/GPFEdLmKnyA/s1600/securedownload+(20).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crpSBYlApZI/U-U1iy9QgBI/AAAAAAAADXc/GPFEdLmKnyA/s1600/securedownload+(20).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofbtfqRttP8/U-UwpzBK1sI/AAAAAAAADVk/RMTgLNmVF0U/s1600/securedownload+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ofbtfqRttP8/U-UwpzBK1sI/AAAAAAAADVk/RMTgLNmVF0U/s1600/securedownload+(6).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EBY7-xonfg/U-Uw94AKI0I/AAAAAAAADWc/RwsGN49om9Y/s1600/securedownload+(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EBY7-xonfg/U-Uw94AKI0I/AAAAAAAADWc/RwsGN49om9Y/s1600/securedownload+(13).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_moi95GjQPM/U-UwtknM56I/AAAAAAAADV0/LK6OMX4sAtg/s1600/securedownload+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_moi95GjQPM/U-UwtknM56I/AAAAAAAADV0/LK6OMX4sAtg/s1600/securedownload+(8).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Another discovery this week was learning M can't sit still while learning. The girl is on the go! Every time we did seatwork she was either standing or fidgeting. I made sure to give her plenty of work she could do on the whiteboard where she was able to stand up. This seemed to help keep her focused. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GDr2aZ_LG_M/U-Uw4rpqa4I/AAAAAAAADWM/YXsXi-443YY/s1600/securedownload+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GDr2aZ_LG_M/U-Uw4rpqa4I/AAAAAAAADWM/YXsXi-443YY/s1600/securedownload+(11).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>I also just had to get over the idea of her sitting still and working. Let her learn and move about the way that works for her. She enjoyed learning the more she was able to move around. Even when I just sit and read to the kids, she is rolling around or hopping about. I told my husband I couldn't imagine how she would do in a traditional classroom. I'm sure she would end up fine, but it would be counter to her personality.<br /><br />I found most of our days lasted between 3 to 3.5 hours. It's funny how that really doesn't seem that long, but when you are teaching it seemed much longer! We did have a set start time and break time. If the kids were hungry or thirsty they could of course get something, but at break time I had them go play out in the back yard just to recharge and get some fresh air.<br /><br />We finished the week off with no clips being moved to red, so they both got to dip into the treasure box. I have to admit I am excited for next week!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2ADQCT_k9k/U-UxAFkfElI/AAAAAAAADWk/lHle7Ml12WM/s1600/securedownload+(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2ADQCT_k9k/U-UxAFkfElI/AAAAAAAADWk/lHle7Ml12WM/s1600/securedownload+(14).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br />Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-19107100671635269932014-08-04T05:33:00.002-07:002014-08-04T05:33:53.338-07:00First day of homeschool--ever!Today is the day. Today we begin our adventure into homeschooling. I'd be lying if I said I'm not nervous...I am very nervous. I am also very excited to be able to explore learning with my youngest two children (C and M). We will start the day by heading out to a homeschool karate class, so I am feeling pretty confident about that, hahahaha. When we get home we will have snack and start lessons. Thankfully the curriculum has our first week pretty easy learning week. If I was being honest I am most nervous about teaching two at a time. How does that work? I have my expectations pretty low to begin. I've read enough out there to just try and relax and allow ourselves time to find our groove. Let's be honest the first week kids are in elementary school have a slow start too.<br /><br />Here are some final pictures of our classroom. There are a few changes, but overall I'm pretty happy with the way it all turned out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C22PlwFpkQc/U999dG0_6uI/AAAAAAAADUE/1Z88w2w9Pmo/s1600/10561711_10152566417864720_1353355861091700430_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C22PlwFpkQc/U999dG0_6uI/AAAAAAAADUE/1Z88w2w9Pmo/s1600/10561711_10152566417864720_1353355861091700430_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkgIFgShOlE/U999frI7s_I/AAAAAAAADUM/N8pTxqoCMqg/s1600/10252000_10152566417969720_313057311805615274_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkgIFgShOlE/U999frI7s_I/AAAAAAAADUM/N8pTxqoCMqg/s1600/10252000_10152566417969720_313057311805615274_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5MyqLtVoRjU/U999glApRhI/AAAAAAAADUU/r8Uzgkr6I0E/s1600/10367796_10152566417504720_8047113234506429958_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5MyqLtVoRjU/U999glApRhI/AAAAAAAADUU/r8Uzgkr6I0E/s1600/10367796_10152566417504720_8047113234506429958_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0C-LOMmJ3G8/U999hhkyEPI/AAAAAAAADUc/fedgJFOZWxE/s1600/10527379_10152566417334720_8272593948008911661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0C-LOMmJ3G8/U999hhkyEPI/AAAAAAAADUc/fedgJFOZWxE/s1600/10527379_10152566417334720_8272593948008911661_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzBUSsPchck/U999jJCK7_I/AAAAAAAADUs/er7vQBb2F-Q/s1600/10577011_10152566417869720_6521687683350063124_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzBUSsPchck/U999jJCK7_I/AAAAAAAADUs/er7vQBb2F-Q/s1600/10577011_10152566417869720_6521687683350063124_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494876178580395428.post-58544789120579975152014-07-25T17:01:00.003-07:002014-07-25T17:01:16.216-07:00One Plus One by Jojo Moyes<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">One single mom. One chaotic family. One quirky stranger. One irresistible love story from the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></b></div><b><span style="color: #e06666;"></span></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0MwXHQpscA/U7qSglAihoI/AAAAAAAADQ8/Tn0ovKMLwxQ/s1600/18693716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0MwXHQpscA/U7qSglAihoI/AAAAAAAADQ8/Tn0ovKMLwxQ/s1600/18693716.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></span></b></div><br />&nbsp;American audiences have fallen in love with Jojo Moyes. Ever since she debuted stateside, she has captivated readers and reviewers alike, and hit the New York Times bestseller list with the word-of-mouth sensation, Me Before You. Now, with One Plus One, she’s written another contemporary opposites-attract love story that reads like a modern-day Two for the Road.<br /><br />Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages . . . maybe ever.<br /><br />One Plus One is Jojo Moyes at her astounding best. You’ll laugh, you’ll weep, and when you flip the last page, you’ll want to start all over again.<br /><br />My thoughts...I admit it, this is the first novel by Jojo Moyes I've read. Now I've been buying her books along the way, I believe I have three others--but I often don't get a chance to read books I buy when I'm trying to keep up with my review piles. Well I have been missing out!<br /><br />I have to start with the main character Jess! I absolutely loved Jess. Here she is working her bum off to take care of her family--no one helping her, but she could really use the help! She is resourceful, helpful and wants to do right by her kids. She is everything a mom should be. She honestly reminded me of my own mom. We also struggled financially and she just did everything she could to put us first. I was sad for Jess, wanted to cry for all the struggles, yet I was clapping for her and cheered her on because she doesn't want anybodies tears.<br /><br />Then there are Jess' children, Tanzie and Nicky. What great kids and they love their mom. Tanzie is just a sweetheart who loves her Maths. I could completely understand how Jess would do anything she could to help Tanzie get into a good school--I mean I wanted to pull out my own checkbook to help! Oh and Nicky...I just wanted to give that boy a hug!<br /><br />These characters felt so real. Their story felt real. All the mishaps, sadness, joy--life. Moyes captured the beauty of the ordinarily wonderfulness of life.<br /><br />One Plus One is a wonderful novel, with imperfect characters with messed up lives who are just trying to get by. Told in multiple voices (mostly Jess). A book you don't want to miss. One Plus One equals a perfect summer read! Highly recommending.<br /><b><span style="color: #e06666;"></span></b><br /><br />Laura Kayhttps://plus.google.com/115176605130942062387noreply@blogger.com0